Cape Epic

Absa Cape Epic
Race details
DateMarch–April
RegionWestern Cape, South Africa
DisciplineMountain bike racing
TypeStage race
OrganiserCape Epic Pty Ltd
Race director
  •  2004-2018 Kati Csak (RSA)
  •  2019-current Karen Clements (RSA)
Web sitewww.cape-epic.com
History
First edition2004 (2004)
Editions20
First winner
Most wins
and  Annika Langvad (DEN)
Most recent
Riders during the 2009 Absa Cape Epic

The Absa Cape Epic or the Cape Epic, founded by Kevin Vermaak is an annual mountain bike stage race held in the Western Cape, South Africa. First staged in 2004, it has been accredited as hors catégorie (beyond categorization) by the Union Cycliste Internationale.[1]

The eight day race consists of a prologue and seven stages, and typically covers more than 680 km (420 mi) with some 16,900 m (55,400 ft) of climbing. Professional mountain bikers from around the world encompassing up to 650 teams compete in teams of two. To qualify for a finish, teams have to stay together for the duration of the race. The race is also open to amateurs, who enter a lottery in order to gain a slot. The times taken to finish each stage are aggregated to determine the overall winning team in each category at the end of the race. The course changes every year, but the race has always taken place in the Western Cape.

The race was acquired by The Ironman Group in August 2016.[2] Advance Publications bought The Ironman Group in March 2020.[3]

  1. ^ "Absa Cape Epic | The Untamed African MTB Stage Race". epic-series.sportsengine-prelive.com. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  2. ^ Mike Blewitt (19 August 2016). "Ironman buys the Cape Epic". MarathonMTB.
  3. ^ "Advance completes acquisition of The IRONMAN Group". Advance. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2021.